Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto: Enjoying Accor A+ Benefits on a 3-Day, 2-Night Trip

Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto (Enjoying Accor A+ Benefits on a 3-Day, 2-Night Trip)

Recalling last spring's Kyoto trip, I still remember this moving city vividly. The spectacular beauty of the cherry blossoms in full bloom—everything touched and amazed us!

Last year, my girlfriend and I decided to fulfill a long-cherished wish: to go see the cherry blossoms in Kyoto. The season is very short, so we had to time it perfectly; arriving just a week later might mean missing the blossoms at their peak. But that is precisely what draws us— only two weeks a year offer the true experience of that beauty. To preserve this wonderful memory, I carefully recorded all the details in my travel diary.

April 1, 2019

We took the two-hour Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto and quickly understood why Kyoto is called Japan's cultural capital. It is filled with temples, shrines, and historical sites, and, of course, the cherry blossoms that bloom every spring.

Experiencing hanami (cherry blossom viewing) in Kyoto had always been my dream. It's not just about looking at the flowers; it's a social experience (more on that later). We planned our trip meticulously, arriving in early April at the peak of the cherry blossom season. The season is fleeting, and we didn't want to miss a moment.

We stayed at the Kyoto Yuragi MGallery Hotel. I must mention our money-saving secret weapon for this trip—the Accor A+ membership card. It saved us a huge amount on accommodation, and I am glad we chose this hotel. The hotel features a beautiful modern design yet exudes the charm of old Kyoto. We arrived in the evening, everything was ready, and we soon settled into our luxurious room, feeling wonderful as we relaxed. We enjoyed a sumptuous dinner at the hotel's restaurant, 54th Station Grill, and then had a few drinks at the bar before bed (I couldn't resist a Japanese whisky, while my girlfriend had a white wine). I wanted to take this opportunity to savor exquisite Japanese cuisine.

April 2, 2019

The next day we got up early and had a hearty breakfast at the hotel. We had booked a room without breakfast, thinking we could go out each morning to see what the locals eat. But the exotic and delicious dinner the night before made us realize that faced with the vast array of Japanese cuisine, we might not know where to start at a local restaurant. Moreover, and more importantly, we learned that with the Accor A+ discount, we only needed to pay for one person's meal at the hotel restaurant. After chatting with the friendly concierge, we took his advice and headed straight to Keage Incline. This is an abandoned railway track lined with cherry blossom trees, one of the ideal spots to enjoy Kyoto's blossoms. As you can imagine, such a popular place is crowded, so we wanted to go early to avoid the rush. The cherry blossoms there were truly stunning: clusters of soft white petals nestled among the branches overhead. We strolled along the gentle slope toward the riverbank and then took a boat down the Lake Biwa Canal, enjoying the blossoms on both sides. Viewing the flowers from the boat was undoubtedly another wonderful way to travel.

The cherry blossom splendor continued all the way to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. We stood on the huge wooden observation deck on the slope and watched the sunset slowly descend through the brilliant orange and pink floral sea. The scene made me feel elated and intoxicated. We both fell in love with this grand spectacle.

April 3, 2019

Although we had already seen many spectacular cherry blossom spots in Kyoto, I still longed to experience true hanami. Hanami is a state of mind that reflects our reverence and appreciation for the natural beauty around us—a shared experience. Fortunately, my girlfriend and I both enjoy making new friends, and our day at Maruyama Park was truly unforgettable.

Under the dappled shade of cherry trees, with pale pink petals dancing in the breeze, a large crowd laughed and sang beneath the branches. Temporary stalls offered cherry-blossom-themed food; outdoor tables were set close together to encourage strangers who had just met to chat and interact. We struck up a conversation with a warm middle-aged couple and discovered we were from the same place!

We sat around the table for hours, sharing food, drinks, and stories amidst the beautiful sea of flowers. New friends handed us some cherry-blossom-themed sweets they had bought at a small shop, one of many scattered along the charming alleys of old Kyoto. As night fell, a completely new scene emerged: hundreds of cherry trees lit up all at once, like lovely pink-white spirits in the evening sky. Our perfect day ended in this most satisfying way.